David Marty

David grew up in Palo Alto, California and has been living in the Pacific Northwest for over 25 years. David’s career took him in the direction of graphic design and illustration. After working for a publisher, he opened a successful graphic design studio. But David’s first love of painting resurfaced and for the past several years he has returned to painting. David is becoming increasingly known for his rural landscape paintings and was recently named an “artist to watch” in Southwest Art Magazine. "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" selected one of his landscape paintings for their recent remodel of a house in Kirkland, Washington.

One of the main draws to the Pacific Northwest was the spectacular scenery. “I am awestruck by the beauty and diversity of the Northwest. I see the fingerprints of a creative God all around me — from the last glow of golden light on a mountain to the sparkle of a meandering meadow stream. This inspires me to try to capture an essence of a particular setting or moment in time, and share that with others through my paintings.” David works in oils on canvas. Many paintings begin as plein air studies. “My earlier landscapes were executed in a tight, almost photorealistic manner. The turning point began after seeing the work of the French Impressionists in Paris. I was attracted by the brighter colors, softness and spontaneity of their paintings. While my work is still representational, I have tried to loosen and soften my approach. By not defining every leaf or blade of grass, viewers have more opportunity to interact and use their imagination, making them a part of the creative process.”

David attended Art Center College of Design and Biola University in California. He has studied with Scott Christensen, Matt Smith, John Budacin and George Strickland. His work is widely collected around the country, including by Bill and Melinda Gates. David’s work has been juried into the C.M. Russell Art Auction in Great Falls, Montana, Salon International in San Antonio, Texas, National Western Art Show in Ellensburg, Washington and Arts for the Parks Top 100 in 2006. David’s work is published by Artaissance and Grand Image. He is a member of Plein Air Washington and Oil Painters of America. David and his wife, Jean, currently reside in Edmonds, Washington. They have five children, including two boys from Bulgaria.